Up, Up in a Balloon:

Young scientists will get both inspiration and giggles from this humorous but true tale of early experiments with flying. The book tells how the first successful venture into human flight came about because of two French brothers, several paper bags, heated air, leaky cloth, hydrogen gas, frightened farmers, a duck, a rooster, a sheep, and a brave friend of the French king. In addition to introducing scientific processes and principles of flight, Up, Up in a Balloon may prompt budding inventors to try, try again—just as the Montgolfier brothers did when they launched the first hot air balloons more than 200 years ago.

What Can Animals Do:

This lively book proves that an animal can do all kinds of things! It encourages children to notice the characteristics and behavior of a world of different creatures: from gnawing, swimming beavers to spinning, climbing spiders to hopping, baby-toting kangaroos. What Can an Animal Do? is a lively introduction to observing, comparing, and describing—all things budding scientists can do, too.

What Does an Animal Eat:

Kids who want to know all about animals will find this book fascinating. What Does an Animal Eat? offers insights into two special aspects of hungry animals: how their teeth and beaks offer clues to what they eat and the food chain’s role in helping to make sure there’s enough for all. Illustrated with detailed drawings, the book’s simple explanations lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of animal adaptation and the need for human help to protect the food chain.

Spenser and the Rocks:

As he begins to discover the interesting rocks all around him, Spenser has many questions about what he finds. Given the differences in the rocks’ colors, sizes, shapes, and textures, there is much to learn about rocks! But that’s not all the curious child learns in this tale of discovery. Spenser’s fascination grows as he sorts and re-sorts his rock collection and asks questions about what he observes. For Spenser—as well as young readers—the experience is an engaging introduction to scientific procedures such as classification and research.

How Does the Wind Blow:

Wind is invisible, but watchful students can see how air in motion be detected by movement around them. This simple book introduces the different intensities of the wind, from gentle breezes that make flags flutter to powerful tornadoes that can lift a house. As the book progresses, readers discover how wind intensities can be measured, and they indirectly become acquainted with the Beaufort Wind Scale used by meteorologists. Throughout the book, the text flows like poetry, moving young readers along as easily as the wind makes little boats sail across the water.

Environments of Our Earth:

Take a world tour between the covers of a book! Environments of Our Earth guides children through six types of regions that are shaped by rainfall—or the lack thereof. Readers take a journey that starts with dense tropical rainforests and woodlands, travels through grassy savannas and prairies, and ends at dry steppes and deserts. Throughout the book, attentive readers can compare how and why each region is alike and different. They will also discover fun facts about the wettest and driest places on Earth and the amazing effect rainfall has on plants, animals, and people.

How Tall Was Milton?:

In this funny fairy tale, it takes a village to figure out the height of Milton the friendly giant. The townspeople’s attempts to gauge just how big he is will entertain young readers as they learn the importance of standard units of measurement. How Tall Was Milton? even accounts for the real-life origin of such silly-sounding units as feet.

Dark as a Shadow :

Time for shadow play! After reading about how light and objects interact to create shadows, young children won’t be able to resist twisting, wiggling, bending, and shaking to see the phenomenon for themselves. To add to the enjoyment, Dark as a Shadow is written in lively rhymes, making it even more fun to learn the science behind why shadows change length through the day and disappear in the dark.

Clouds, Rain, Clouds Again:

This soothing book is the perfect invitation to a relaxed afternoon of cloud gazing. It starts by encouraging young readers to observe what clouds look like, from thin wisps to puffy air castles to giant faces. Then the story raises natural questions: Where do clouds get water? Why does it rain? When rain makes puddles and puddles dry up, what happens to the water? The answers give children an easy-to-grasp picture of the water cycle while instilling the kind of curiosity that can lead to a lifetime of experiencing the world from a scientific perspective.

Light and Color:

This book unfolds as a series of observations about light, including where it comes from, how it bounces off of people and objects, and what we mean when we say the colors of a rainbow are the colors in light. Throughout the text, informal experiments prompt young scientists to learn by doing, and impressionistic drawings bring the mysteries of light and color to life. By the book’s end, students will have a useful foundation for middle school and beyond, when they’ll learn about energy, wavelengths, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

What Makes Different Sounds:

On their walk home from school, twins Jane and Jim explore why sounds can be startling (like sirens), soothing (like music), or mysterious (like eerie creaking in an empty house). By coming along, young readers of What Makes Different Sounds? can learn as the twins do. They’ll be introduced to the roles vibration, pitch, and volume play in how rustles, rumbles, and rat-a-tat-tats are made and transferred to their own ears.

Rubber VS. Glass:

A friendly debate leads twins Bill and Mary to compare rubber balls, rafts, and gloves with glass marbles, greenhouses, and jars, objects that at first seem very different. A field trip teaches them that both rubber and glass can bend, bounce, stretch, and even melt. This lively story introduces the concept of properties. As scientists know, properties are characteristics that help us understand the traits of substances all around us if—like Bill and Mary—we observe closely.

Sounds are High, Sounds are Low:

Here’s humorous proof of just how fun it is to observe with your ears. A whimsical introduction to pitch and volume, this book practically begs young scientists to read it aloud. And why not? It’s the best way to compare the differences among a telephone’s high ring, a cow’s low moo, a fire truck’s loud clang, and a flying string band’s plinkety plink plunk. Sounds Are High, Sounds Are Low is ideal for beginning readers and hilarious practice for future sound effects pros.

Tommy's Turtle:

Tommy s Turtle offers subtle lessons in both pet care and the importance of close observation. Tommy learns what his turtle needs to thrive, including a safe habitat and tiny bites of healthy food. As he watches his turtle swim, crawl, and go into its armorlike shell, Tommy learns about the characteristics of living organisms. Budding herpetologists and pet-loving kids alike will enjoy this gentle tale of finding and caring for an animal friend..

How Does a Plant Grow?:

Children don’t have to be botanists-in-training to discover the message of this book: “All plants are interesting. Even the weeds.” Young readers are sure to be intrigued by the wide variety of shapes, sizes, and functions in flowers, fruit trees, and all sorts of other flora. How Does a Plant Grow? will inspire children to be newly alert to the many wonders of the plant world, from how seeds sprout to why leaves turn to the light to the vital roles of stems and roots.